Nutrient Corner: Potassium

Potassium.  I remember when I was in Biology class, my teacher had this jar of elemental potassium and lit a match it flamed up.  It release a great deal of energy.  That lesson is vivid in my mind.  Energy is very important especially as we get older.  Potassium is vital to good health.  

Potassium is required for nerve, muscle, heart, and kidney function.  Deficiencies in potassium can lead to heart problems, fatigue, coordination problems, confusion, and dehydration.  We lose potassium through sweat.  So it is important that when we exercise that we restore this loss of electrolytes.  How?  By eating foods that will restore this loss.

Fruits:  Apricots, Bananas, Figs, Raisins, dried fruits, and mixed nuts  

Meats: Veal

Vegetables: Roasted and Baked potatoes (skin on)

Grains:  Wheat bran, wheat germ, soy flour, whole grain pasta, bran flakes 

Author Profile: Carly Greene

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